What punishment Ox would receive was no longer Luke, Ahri, or Akali's concern.
After handing him over to the militia, they had repaid the favor of being given a place to stay and prepared to leave.
The militia and villagers wanted them to remain so they could properly express their gratitude. A vicious thief like Ox had left everyone frightened and on edge while he remained at large.
The three of them still decided not to linger.
Before they departed, however, the village gave them two fine horses, along with plenty of food and water for the road.
They accepted the gifts and left the village at around three in the afternoon.
Ahri was unusually quiet along the way, seemingly lost in thought.
Luke noticed and asked, "Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?"
"Yes." Ahri nodded softly. Her power had activated, only to be interrupted by some mysterious force.
Akali seemed to remember it as well. "He said it was a protective charm he got from Guyuan. It seemed pretty powerful."
Luke asked, "Do you know anything about Guyuan?"
"No. I'd never even heard of the town before." Akali shook her head, then opened the map and took a look. "Guyuan doesn't seem very far away. It's right along our route… Come to think of it, where exactly are we going?"
She had instinctively said it was along their route before realizing she did not even know their destination.
"I plan to visit the Placidium of Navori," Luke said. "That shouldn't interfere with either of your plans, should it?"
"I can go anywhere," Ahri replied with a nod.
She had no permanent home and simply traveled wherever the road took her, so she was not particular about their destination.
"The Placidium…" Akali sighed helplessly. "That's where I just came from. Fine. Until this matter is resolved, I'll keep traveling with you."
The main reason she remained was Ahri. Once she determined whether Ahri had lied to her, she would decide whether to stay or leave.
With that settled, the three of them quickened their pace.
By the time the sky began to darken, there were no villages or inns anywhere nearby, so they decided to set up a simple tent and rest where they were. They were also beginning to feel hungry.
Luke lit a campfire and prepared to make fish soup and grilled fish. He had caught four fish from a nearby pond.
Three were relatively small, while the fourth was much larger. The large one was perfect for making soup.
The fish were plump and attractive, with bright scales and powerful, lively movements. One glance was enough to tell that they would taste good.
As Luke prepared the food, Akali watched him with some doubt regarding his cooking ability.
Then she remembered that he had also been making soup when she first encountered him the previous night, so he probably knew what he was doing.
Ahri, who had already tasted Luke's cooking, obediently sat down and waited in anticipation.
Once Luke had finished preparing the fish for grilling, the rest was simple. He only needed to place them near the right level of heat, turn them occasionally, and brush them with seasoning.
With a little free time, Luke suddenly remembered something and turned to Ahri. "Right, we were discussing ways to help you control your power last night."
Ahri immediately remembered and nodded eagerly. "Yes. Please tell me."
"The first method is to create a mantra for yourself."
"A mantra?"
"Exactly. It must hold a special meaning for you. It can't be some random phrase you invent on the spot. At critical moments, it must be able to support your convictions. Whenever your power becomes unstable, focus your mind on that mantra. It may have an additional calming effect."
Luke was using Lux as an example. Back when the little blonde's power had nearly gone out of control, she had often repeated, "Light leaves no room for shadow."
Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it did not.
The reason was naturally that the magic inside Lux was simply too powerful. A single phrase could never truly suppress it.
Ahri's condition was not as severe, so this method might prove effective for her.
"Let me think…"
Ahri obediently closed her eyes and began contemplating her mantra.
She remembered sitting atop a mountain with the snow foxes, gazing down upon the world below. Even then, she had been filled with an intense longing to see it for herself.
That was why she had left the snowy mountains and stepped into the wider world.
In that case, this was her conviction.
"The vast world is mine to explore."
She wanted to witness the scenery in every corner of the world, not merely Ionia.
The moment the mantra took shape, Ahri suddenly felt an inexplicable weight lift from her heart. It was not as though everything had instantly become clear, but it did seem to have an effect.
When Ahri opened her eyes, Luke continued, "It seems you've found your mantra. Now let's try the second method, breathing."
"Breathing?" Ahri tilted her head slightly, curiosity and confusion in her eyes.
Akali's attention was also drawn toward them. The Kinkou Order taught several specialized breathing methods that allowed its members to exert force more efficiently and conserve their stamina.
"Breathing is fundamental to life," Luke explained. "No one can live without it. We also instinctively use our breathing to regulate our emotions. When we're angry or under great pressure, taking deep breaths can gradually calm us down. That's because deep breathing improves circulation, relaxes the mind, reduces fatigue, and heightens self-awareness."
Ahri listened like an obedient student in a classroom, nodding along.
Akali also listened with considerable interest.
"That is how breathing techniques came to exist. Controlling your breathing can sometimes produce unexpected results.
"Your power loses control partly because it is unstable, but your emotions also play a major role. If you can't even control your own emotions, you can hardly expect to control your power."
As Luke spoke, he turned the grilling fish over.
Ahri nodded in realization. "I see. Whenever I lose control of my power, my emotions do become extremely unstable."
"Next, I'll teach you a form of Breathing Arts. It has many effects, including emotional control," Luke said.
"Really?" Ahri's eyes lit up with delight.
"Really." Luke nodded, then glanced at Akali, who had been listening in secret. "You can learn it too."
Having been caught eavesdropping, Akali immediately turned her face away. However, as soon as Luke began explaining, she quietly turned back to listen.
Luke started teaching Ahri the foundations of Breathing Arts.
Breathing Arts was a skill he had obtained from the system through a check-in a long time ago. It had no levels and was merely a method of regulating one's breathing, but its effects were excellent.
After all, it had come from the system.
It could regulate emotions, conserve stamina, and improve sleep quality. By controlling one's breathing, it could also bring the body into an optimal state and gradually strengthen it.
When injured, deliberately intensifying the use of Breathing Arts could even accelerate recovery.
Luke had already incorporated Breathing Arts completely into his daily life, so teaching it to someone else was not difficult.
Ahri possessed excellent comprehension. Luke only had to demonstrate the basics a few times before she understood them. She sat quietly beside the fire and began adjusting her breathing according to his instructions.
Akali also tried it out of curiosity. She understood after listening only twice, since she already had experience with breathing techniques.
It would have been a lie to claim that she was not curious about Luke's Breathing Arts.
Since it had caught her interest, Akali decided to give it a simple trial.
She soon discovered that Luke's Breathing Arts flowed far more smoothly than the breathing methods she had learned before.
She found that unbelievable. The breathing techniques she knew were secret arts of the Kinkou Order.
Yet Luke's Breathing Arts somehow felt superior.
While using it, she was surprised to discover that entering a meditative state had also become easier.
In Ionia, meditation was a state that countless people yearned for and pursued.
Meditation emptied the mind. The methods learned by ordinary people usually did nothing more than clear the thoughts and relax the body, allowing them to enter a state of stillness.
True meditation, however, was far more profound.
Genuine meditation could even establish a connection with the Spirit Realm. It was a form of training for one's spiritual power, cleansing both the soul and the mind.
The stronger a person's soul became, the greater their overall strength would grow. Many powerful masters never abandoned the practice of meditation.
Akali had learned how to enter a meditative state long ago, but she could never maintain it for very long.
Deliberately forcing oneself to meditate and entering the state naturally produced entirely different results.
After learning Breathing Arts, she found herself able to enter meditation much faster, though she did not know whether it was merely a coincidence.
Still, the smooth and effortless sensation could not be false.
By regulating her breathing, she also felt her body becoming lighter and more energetic.
Akali had always been exceptionally talented. Ever since childhood, she had learned everything taught by the order extremely quickly, so she could easily distinguish the differences between the two methods.
These Breathing Arts were useful to her in her current state.
When she opened her eyes and noticed Luke looking at her, she turned her head away in embarrassment. "Your Breathing Arts are very good. Consider me in your debt."
Luke might not have cared, but in her eyes, what she had done was no different from secretly stealing his teachings.
She wanted to grow stronger, but that did not mean she could abandon her principles.
"All right." Luke smiled and calmly accepted the favor.
It might have been nothing more than a verbal promise, but if he truly needed her help someday, Akali's personality would never allow her to break her word.
Ahri opened her eyes as well. "It feels… a little different."
The effect was not as obvious to her as it was to Akali, since this was her first time practicing any kind of breathing technique.
"There's no hurry. Keep practicing it gradually. You need to incorporate the breathing method into your daily life. Once you do, you'll truly understand the difference."
Luke turned the fish over again. The rich aroma of crisp, grilled fish had already filled the air.
"They're almost ready."
He lifted the three skewered fish and handed one each to Ahri and Akali.
The two accepted them, and the fragrant grilled fish immediately awakened their appetites.
"Whew…"
Ahri blew on the fish before taking a small bite. The outside was crisp and aromatic, while the meat inside was unbelievably fresh and tender. The flavor left her utterly dazed.
Akali reacted in much the same way. One bite was enough to amaze her, and she could not help glancing at Luke.
She felt guilty for having doubted his cooking skills earlier.
It was only ordinary grilled fish. How had he made it taste this good?
Even as the thought passed through her mind, Akali could not stop eating.
She had eaten grilled fish before, but this was unquestionably the most delicious grilled fish she had ever tasted.
The fish soup that followed was just as wonderfully fresh and savory. It had a completely different flavor from the grilled fish, yet it was equally delicious. There was not the slightest trace of fishiness. Instead, the fish seemed to have become the perfect seasoning for the broth, elevating the entire dish.
After their first bites, neither woman spoke again. They focused entirely on enjoying the food.
By the time they had even drained the fish soup to the last drop, they were still licking their lips with lingering satisfaction.
Luke was also extremely pleased with Ionia's ingredients. The land contained immense magical energy, which had infused its plants and animals with spiritual power over countless generations.
Ingredients filled with spiritual energy tasted completely different after being prepared through his cooking.
Once the three of them had eaten their fill, they fell silent, as though immersing themselves in the moment.
At almost exactly the same time, they raised their heads and looked toward the night sky. Brilliant stars formed a river of light across the heavens, shining with dazzling colors. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful.
After eating and drinking to their heart's content, people became generous in their praise of the world. Everything suddenly seemed wonderful.
Even sitting around doing nothing became enjoyable.
That was precisely how the three of them felt. Satisfied by the meal, they found themselves in the mood to appreciate the beauty of the world.
After watching the stars for a while, Ahri seemed to remember something. She turned toward Luke and blinked her beautiful eyes.
"Come to think of it, why are you being so kind to me?"
When she had first met Luke, he had generously shared his mushroom soup with her. He had then helped her out of trouble, and today he had taught her methods for controlling her power.
Ahri had begun to wonder why Luke treated her so well.
Before this, they had been complete strangers who had never met.
"To me, none of this was much trouble."
Luke leaned back against something and replied casually, "I think you would have overcome this obstacle on your own eventually. I'm just making things a little easier for you. Besides, traveling with company helps pass the time. Being alone gets rather boring."
One reason Luke was willing to help Ahri was naturally that he had already known about her before they met.
Furthermore, Ahri's power was extremely unusual. It appeared closely connected to the Spirit Realm and involved an ancient people.
Establishing a good relationship with her could only be beneficial.
After listening to him, Ahri stared into the campfire, lost in thought.
She could sense that Luke was not a bad person, so she understood how precious his kindness was.
Ahri had only recently entered human society, but even she knew that nothing good in the world came entirely without a price.
Luke spoke casually, yet she firmly engraved the kindness he had shown her into her heart.
She was currently troubled by how she should repay him. Ahri secretly glanced at Luke's face as he watched the sky, then found herself unable to look away.
Without question, Luke was the man who had attracted her most since she first entered human society.
Not only was he immune to her unique abilities, but his soul also gave off an irresistible fragrance, and he was exceptionally kind to her.
Every time she caught that delicious scent drifting from him, Ahri's heartbeat quickened. An uncontrollable impulse rose inside her, urging her to throw herself at him and take a taste.
Realizing she was about to lose control again, Ahri hurriedly looked away, her cheeks burning.
She remembered the Breathing Arts she had just learned and immediately began practicing.
To her surprise, it was remarkably effective. Her emotions quickly settled, and the heat in her face slowly faded.
Akali was also lost in thought.
After witnessing what happened with Ox, she had realized that Ahri truly possessed a unique ability capable of distinguishing the nature of someone's soul.
That meant the things Ahri had told her might not have been lies.
Through their brief time together, Akali had also discovered that Ahri was unexpectedly innocent.
After considering the matter, she decided to observe her for a little longer.
Perhaps she really had misunderstood her this time.
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